4K or 1080? Video Resolutions and How Best to Use Them
Filming in 4K has become very popular recently. While it may be tempting to request your videographer shoot a project in 4K the difference may not be as noticeable as you think. Simply put 4K footage has 4x the pixels or resolution of regular HD 1080 video.
WHEN A PROJECT CALLS FOR 4K
There is no hard rule on when you need to use 4k. You can choose to use 4k if a project is showcasing some physical object and want to show as much detail as possible. Fine art, makeup, or landscape/nature video will generally benefit from 4K footage.
You can also record in 4K and then crop the video (by up to 50%). This can be helpful to create a variety of different shots from one camera angle, but this will reduce the overall resolution of the video so it cannot be delivered in 4K.
WHAT 4K CANNOT DO
Shooting a project in 4K won't necessarily make your video look more professional or improve the perceived resolution. Many screens even today cannot display 4K resolution and you can't really perceive the difference on a relatively small screen like a laptop.
There are many misconceptions about 4K so I've included some bullet points on what it won't do.
Won't give more depth of field (what is in focus)
Won't improve/change the color
Fast motion won't be smoother
Won't make a dark recording brighter or make it easier to brighten in post processing
DISADVANTAGES OF 4K
One of the main disadvantages of 4K is the storage of files. 4K footage takes up 4x more room than regular HD video. It will also put more strain on wireless networks that are streaming 4K video.
Aside from that the production of 4K video also requires a bit more care. Shakey shots become more noticeably shaky and focus needs to be tack sharp for clips to look good.
4K PHONE VS. 4K CAMERA
Not all 4K recordings are the same. An iPhone's 4k recording will be much lower quality compared to a cinema camera. There are many factors that go into producing a quality image from a professional camera. The codecs used in recording, the lighting, the exporting and the screen you're watching on all factor into how a 4K video looks. One advantage of hiring professional videographers is we handle all that for you, and understand how technical aspects translate to creative decisions to make the most impact in your video. Also, a regular HD video professionally recorded will generally look better than an iPhone video in 4K.
WHAT TO DO ONCE YOU HAVE A 4K PROJECT
The main advantage of shooting in 4k is when uploading to YouTube or other streaming video services. When a video is uploaded in 4K the video conversion process within YouTube provides more space and a slightly better resolution for 4K footage, even when viewed in 1080 resolution.
IN CLOSING
We've covered some of the considerations you'll need to discuss with your videographer to determine if 4K is right for your project. There is no specific rule on whether you should use 4K over regular HD, but done well 4K can make your footage look incredible even if it's not viewed in 4K.
